When You Are in the Lion’s Den

by Spike Bowan | published on May 3, 2017

Too often life can feel like you are being thrown to the lions like Daniel. As a Christian, mockery and contempt can come from every angle at times.

So many times, I have felt like the whole world was against me and nothing I did, would save me from the persecution and judgement of others. It is times like these that I think of Daniel and the Lion’s Den.

We all know the story. Right?

For those out there who may not, the story goes like this. Daniel was an advisor to the King, Darius. He was one of three advisors, and was favored and beloved by the King. This made the other advisors and officials jealous. They plotted to find a way to get rid of Daniel.

Daniel 6:4-5

4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”

So, these advisors, governors and satraps (official) devised a scheme. They went to King Darius and coerced him into issuing a proclamation that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.

This is where it gets hairy. Like something from a suspense thriller movie.

Daniel 6: 10-16

10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”

16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”

Throughout this whole ordeal, Daniel remained faithful to God, and loyal to the King. That night the king couldn’t sleep or eat. The next morning, he ran to the lion’s den and called out to Daniel. Asking if he was alive and if Daniels God had saved him.

Daniel 6: 21-23

21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Even when the whole world is against you, and people work their jealous schemes, God will protect and deliver you. You just must remain faithful. The story of the Lion’s Den ends when King Darius orders the advisors and their families who framed Daniel to be thrown into the den with the ravenous lions.

God will take vengeance on those who transgress his children. Stay faithful. Stay righteous. God will get you through even the worst of times.